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Revolutionary War
War of 1812 or The Old War
Civil War
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World War II
Korean Conflict
Vietnam Conflict
Gulf War
Global War on Terrorism
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The following selections do not comprise all of the kin who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. However, insufficient information is known about the many others to be able to include them at this time. Additional veterans may be added from time to time. C. W. Paige
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Samuel Bliss, Sr. (b. 7-25-1730, d. 4-17-1816) from Rehoboth, Massachusetts, served in Revolutionary War in the unit Captain Slade's Company three years as a Sergeant in the 16th Massachusetts Regiment, a.k.a. the Boston Regiment, under Col. Henry Jackson. Earlier, as Captain, he commanded a company of eight-day minute men April 19-27, 1775, afterwards (1775) a company of eight months men in Col. Timothy Walker's regiment. Samuel was General Washington's steward at Morristown in winter of 1777.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Samuel’s 4th great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are “Genealogy of the Bliss Family in America” by John Homer Bliss; several online Internet accounts; D.A.R. Lineage Book, Vol. 146, Membership No. 145454 for Etta M. (Bliss) Kendrick; the obituary for Sidney E. Bliss from the Albion (Michigan) Recorder newspaper dated April 4, 1916; and “Vital Records of Rehoboth” by James Arnold 1891 and 1897, containing the rosters of the various units.
See, also:
Descendants of Captain Samuel Bliss, Sr.—first generation
and Elmeria (Rea) Benner's website Soldiers of The Revolution.
Samuel Bliss, Jr. (b. 9-4-1761, d. 3-15-1837) from Rehoboth, Massachusetts, served in Revolutionary War in the unit Captain Cole's Company for two enlistments (January 1777—April 1777; March 1778—March 1779) as a Private. [The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have him listed as a "Colonel" in their records.] During his enlistments Samuel served under a number of officers, including Colonel [Timothy?] Walker, Captain Israel Hicks (variously spelled Hix; other regiments Hicks/Hix served in were those of colonels Thomas Carpenter and John Daggett), Lieutenant James Horton, Ensign Samuel Carpenter; Colonel John Jacob, Captain Jacob Fuller, Lieutenant Samuel Horton, Ensign Michael Mollon, etc.
Near the end of his second and last enlistment Samuel became sick at Sakonnet Point, Newport County, Rhode Island, to where he had marched after the Battle of Butts Hill, a “Battle on Rhode Island between the Americans under General Sullivan & the British.” This illness required hospitalization and basically ended his active participation in the Revolutionary War. His father would fetch him back to Rehoboth from Freetown, Bristol County, Massachusetts, where Samuel’s regiment was then located.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Samuel’s 3rd great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are “Genealogy of the Bliss Family in America” by John Homer Bliss; several online Internet accounts; D.A.R. Lineage Book, Vol. 146, Membership No. 145454 for Etta M. (Bliss) Kendrick; and “Vital Records of Rehoboth” by James Arnold 1891 and 1897, containing the rosters of the various units
See, also:
Descendants of Captain Samuel Bliss, Sr.—second generation
Elmeria (Rea) Benner's website Soldiers of The Revolution.
Thomas Hubbart (b. 1760, d. 4-22-1821) from Woodbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, served in Revolutionary War in the unit Nathaniel Tuttle’s Company in the 2nd Connecticut Regiment (January 1776—January 1777), under the command of Colonel Charles Webb, one year as a Private. He joined the regiment at Southbury, Litchfield County. Thomas was wounded in his right leg causing him problems with fever sores later in life. His brothers Elisha and John, Jr. would join the same regiment in May of 1777, soon after which John was taken prisoner and spent the remainder of the war on one of His Majesty’s death/prison ships.
[The family of one of Thomas’s brothers was attacked by Indians that had been led to the neighborhood by Tories. The Indians killed the brother and carried off the wife, mother-in-law and three children. In later years one of the children tried rejoining his white kith and kin but had grown too attached to Indian ways and thus returned to his adoptive people.]
* Evolution of a surname: Thomas’s father was John Hobart. Thomas’s son was Adam Frink Hubbard.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Thomas’s 3rd great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is Revolutionary War pension W1591, an application for veteran benefits under a March 18, 1818 Act of Congress having been filed by Thomas with the Herkimer County, New York, Court of Common Pleas on July 4, 1820.
See, also:
Andrew Sitzer (baptized 16 Oct 1743, d.4-19-1806) from Coxsackie, New York , served in Revolutionary War in the unit 5th Regiment and 11 Regiment, New York militia as an Ensign. Andrew was reassigned from the 5th to the 11th Regiment on March 26, 1781.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Andrew’s 4th great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are a Memorial written for his great granchild Sarah Elizabeth (Sittser) and her husband Rev. Benjamin Franklin Willoughby; and A. J. Berry 's website “Three Rivers, Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie, History From America's Most Famous Valleys, Documents Relating to The Colonial History of the State of New York,” subtitle “THE MILITIA--ELEVENTH REGIMENT - (Coxsackie and Groote Imbocht),” edited by Berthold Fernow, Volume XV. State Archives, Vol. I, Albany N.Y. Wood Parsons and Company, Printers, 1887.
Henry Welter (b. 1735, d. 5-25-1835) from Roxbury Township, New Jersey, served as a drummer in Revolutionary War in the unit General Frederick Frelinghuysen's brigade of the New Jersey Militia (May 1775—May 1778) as a Private. Henry enlisted in 1775 at New Germantown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, under the command of Captain Godfrey Rhinehart, Lieut. John Read and Ensign Morris Crammers. During his three years of militia service “for the common defense against the common enemy which and whenever called upon in the State of New Jersey,” he marched to, and at times engaged the enemy (including Tories) at such places as “Elizabeth Town, Newark, Amboy, New Brunswick, Quarell?Lawn, Middle Booth? Short Hills, ?, ?Aquamanauk, Morris Town, Trenton, Springfield… and various other places…” He was paid “for three years Service and discharged at Metuchen near New Brunswick after May 1778 by a written discharge signed by General Heard, Gen. Frelinghuysen, Col. Martin, Col. McHolme and Col. Taylor of the Militia…”
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Henry’s 4th great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is his application for Revolutionary War veteran benefits under a June 7, 1832, Act of Congress.
See, also:
Henry Welter in the Revolutionary War
WAR OF 1812 or THE OLD WAR
John McAnnally (b. ?, d. 11-21-1813) from Pulteney, New York, served in War of 1812 in the unit 22nd United States Infantry under Captain John Pentland of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a Private. This veteran, whose name is sometimes spelled “McNelly” and “McNally,” took part in the invasion of Canada of October/November 1813 and died while a soldier.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, John’s 3rd great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are a memoir left by John’s 1st great-grandson William Hood Barnes of Jackson, Michigan; and the National Archives’ Old War Widows Pension file No. 10,947, War of 1812, for Isabella (Duncan) McAnnally Ellis.
See, also:
The Last Month In The Life Of John McNelly,
and Memoirs of William Hood Barnes (with additional notes).
CIVIL WAR
Charles Bigelow (b. Abt. 1833, d. 5-12-1864) from St. Johns, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 1st Company of Sharpshooters of the 27th Michigan Infantry, also known as “Perrin's Sharpshooters,” as a Private. The sharpshooters operated with the 27th from 1864, when the 1st was formed, until the end of the war. They carried Spencer repeating rifles—leading-edge weapons of the day. Charles died in action at Spotsylvania, VA, May 12, 1864.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Charles’ great-grandnephew by marriage.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are collected genealogical information about Charles and Elizabeth (Castner) Bigelow and their children; the roster for Perrin’s Sharpshooters (where the surname is misspelled “Bigslow”); and Page 87 of History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan…. Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885. De La Vergne, Earl W. Philadelphia: D.W. Ensign & co., 1880.
See, also:
Ovid Township, Clinton County, Michigan (Castner and Welter descendants),
and Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
James Duncan Hood (b. 11-5-1842, d. 5-3-1864) from Lyon, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 22nd Michigan Infantry, Company H as a Private. James was taken prisoner by Confederate soldiers September 19, 1863, during the Battle of Chickamauga, and died at the Andersonville, Georgia, prisoner-of-war camp May 3, 1864 of disease brought on by "exposure and starvation."
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, James’ great-grandnephew.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are South Lyon Herald newspaper series in 1961 commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Civil War's beginning, under the master title "During Civil War," from sixth article in the series, dated June 1, subtitled "Area Soldiers Die In 'Rebel' Prison," with sub-subtitle "Bible Tells Hood Story"; “Record—Twenty-second Michigan Infantry Civil War 1861‑1865.” Published by State of Michigan; Confederate records titled MEMORANDUM FROM PRISONER OF WAR RECORDS; and the roster for the 22nd Michigan Infantry, Company H.
See, also:
James D. Hood in the Civil War,
The Year Our Family Came to Michigan,
and Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Orlando Keyes (b. 5-9-1824, d. 1-12-1866) from Climax, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 12th Michigan Infantry Veteran Volunteers as a Private in Company D with his son-in-law James M. Powers. Orlando was later commissioned Regimental Chaplain by Michigan’s war governor Austin Blair. Orlando died shortly after the war ended of disease incurred while in active service.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Rev. Orlando’s 2nd great-grandson.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are personal knowledge of Orlando’s 1st great-grandson Howard O. Paige; National Archives’ pension file No. 89,426 for Civil War Widow Lucinda (Shook) Keyes and Military Service Records (NNCC); and the roster for the 12th Michigan Infantry Veteran Volunteers.
See, also:
Rev. Orlando Keyes Joins the War of 1861, a.k.a. the Civil War,
The Year Our Family Came to Michigan,
and Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Ebenezer Page (b. 4-8-1820 at Sussex, England, d. 7-5-1911 ) from Ontario, Wayne County, New York, served in Civil War in the unit Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Company B. Enlisted 8-4-1862 for three years. Later he lived in Brockport, New York, and became a member of the Veteran Association of the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Company B. Ebenezer lived to be just over 91 years old and was interred near wife Elizabeth at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, half great-grandnephew.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are family connection to Ebenezer established by Charles W. Paige through their common ancestor William Henry Page, Sr.; and Ebenezer’s part in war established by his military record, stored at National Archives in Washington, D.C., and from the book "The Ninth New York Heavy Artillery--A History of its Organization, Services in the Defenses of Washington, Marches, Camps, Battles, and Muster-Out, with Accounts of Life in a Rebel Prison, Personal Experiences, Names and Addresses of Surviving Members, Personal Sketches, and a Complete Roster of the Regiment;" by Alfred Seelye Roe of Company A, Published by the Author, Worcester, Mass., 1899; also "New York Town Clerk's Registers of Men who served in the Civil War 1861-1865," from the New York State Archives.
See, also:
My seven-page PDF file (245 KB) describing Ebenezer's time in service, at: Ebenezer Page and the War Between the States.
Lisa Saunders' website New York 9th Heavy Artillery.
Nathan S. Page (b. 12-12-18 27 in England, d. 9-30-1910) from Sodus, Berrien County, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 12th Infantry Regiment Michigan, Company I; enlisted eight months before his brother Ebenezer (above) on 12-19-1861 for three years. Later, attached to the 11th Independent Battery, Ohio Light Artillery Regiment, on 1-10-1864. On 4-9-1864 returned to original unit and company, where he received a disability discharge on 9-13-1864 at Detroit. Named his son, born in 1864, Ulysses Grand Page. Died in Chicago and buried there at Rosehill Cemetery, to be joined by rest of family.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, half great-grandnephew.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are family connection to Nathan established by Charles W. Paige through their common ancestor William Henry Page, Sr.; and Nathan’s part in war established by "History of Berrien County, Michigan"; and the roster for the 12th Michigan Infantry, Company I.
See, also:
Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865,
William Sanders Page (b. 12-15-1844, d. 8-03-1864) from Ontario, Wayne County, New York, served in Civil War in the unit 111th New York Infantry, Company A; enlisted eleven days after his father Ebenezer (above) on 8-15-1862 for three years. Was wounded at Battle of Gettysburg 7-3-1863. Also wounded at Battle of Cold Harbor 5-30-1864, and died thereafter from effects of wound. Buried Arlington National Cemetery.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, half first cousin twice removed.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are family connection to William established by Charles W. Paige through their common ancestor William Henry Page, Sr.; and William’s part in war established by "New York Town Clerk's Registers of Men who served in the Civil War 1861-1865," from the New York State Archives.
Henry Albert Potter (b. 4-6-1840, d. 7-1-1935) from Ovid, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 4th Michigan Cavalry, Company B as a Private. Later he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Henry’s impressive war experiences were written down in letters and many of these have been transcribed and made available on the Internet by his descendant Michael Ruddy.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, 1st cousin 3 times removed.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are the following websites:
Ovid Township, Clinton County, Michigan (Castner and Welter descendants).
See, also:
Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865,
and Michael P. Ruddy's online transcriptions of Letters of Henry Albert Potter.
James M. Powers (b. 5-17-1843, d. 6-30-1921) from Climax, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 12th Michigan Infantry Veteran Volunteers as a Private in Company D with his father-in-law Rev. Orlando Keyes. James and wife Irena later died in Seattle, Washington. Their cremains were placed in storage at a cemetery and were discovered there in 2016. On December 10, 2016, their cremains were buried, with full military honors, at the National Cemetery in Tahoma, Washington.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, James’s great-grandnephew by marriage.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are personal knowledge of James’s grandnephew Howard O. Paige; Military Service Records (NNCC); and the roster for the 12th Michigan Infantry Veteran Volunteers.
See, also:
Rev. Orlando Keyes Joins the War of 1861, a.k.a. the Civil War,
The Year Our Family Came to Michigan,
Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865,
Clarkson Robinson (b. 9-30-1814, d. Aft. 1862) from Branch County, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 11th Infantry Regiment Michigan, Company D; enlisted early in the war. Was discharged for disability, 10-30-1862. It is presumed that Clark died soon after discharge as no record of him since has been found.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, half grandnephew.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are family connection to Clark established by Charles W. Paige through their common ancestor Chloe (Thayer) Robinson Page; and Clark’s part in war established by "A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Branch County, Michigan, " Rev. Henry P. Collin, M. A., author and editor. Illustrated. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York: Chicago 1906. Chapter title: "Members of Eleventh Infantry (Old Organization) from Branch County, Michigan"; and the roster for the 11th Michigan Infantry, Company D.
See, also:
Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Horace J. Robinson (b. 1838, d. 5-11-1865) from Quincy, Branch County, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 11th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry (Re-Organized), Company I; enlisted late in the war on 2-14-1865 for one year. Hospitalized due to disease at Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he died and was buried at the National Cemetery there, grave # 8738.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, half first cousin twice removed.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are family connection to Horace established by Charles W. Paige through their common ancestor Chloe (Thayer) Robinson Page; and Horace’s part in war established by "Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65"; and the roster for the 11th Michigan Infantry, Company I.
See, also:
Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Adelbert J. Sittser (b. 11-6-1836, d. 11-26-1915) from Berrien County, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 13th Michigan Infantry, Company E as a Private. Adelbert was hunting birds in Michigan, away from his home in Cayuga County, New York, when the war broke out. He volunteered early--in 1861. At Shiloh his eyes were burned by three days of gun powder in the air and he was sent to Benton Barracks' hospital near St. Louis, Missouri; later transferred to Detroit Barracks. While recovering he was signed up by the Custer brothers into the cavalry, as he was a combat veteran they put him into the 1st U.S. Cavalry, Company A.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Adelbert’s 1st cousin 3 times removed.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are family history notes by Adelbert’s great-grandson Douglas Norton Sittser; and the roster for the 13th Michigan Infantry, Company E.
See, also:
Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Adelbert J. Sittser (b. 11-6-1836, d. 11-26-1915) from Berrien County, Michigan , served in Civil War in the unit 1st U.S. Cavalry, Company A (formerly the 1st Dragoons) as a Private. Adelbert first volunteered for the 13th Michigan Infantry, Company E, in 1861. At Shiloh his eyes were burned by three days of gun powder in the air and he was sent to Benton Barracks’ hospital near St. Louis, Missouri; later transferred to Detroit Barracks. While recovering he was signed up by the Custer brothers into the cavalry, as he was a combat vet. they put him into the 1st U.S. Cavalry, Company A. His first major action was Gettysburg. He was injured several times until mustering out at New Orleans in mid-1865 as a sergeant. He was given land in North Dakota, where he settled at Yorktown, Dickey County.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Adelbert’s 1st cousin 3 times removed.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is family history notes by Adelbert’s great-grandson Douglas Norton Sittser.
See, also:
The Year Our Family Came to Michigan.
Thomas Sturgis (b. Abt. 1831, d. 7-18-1893) from Scio, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 7th Michigan Cavalry, Company E as a Private. Thomas and wife Elizabeth (Castner) Bigelow Sturgis both received burial at the expense of Clinton County, Michigan, due to Thomas's Civil War participation as a member of General George Armstrong Custer's 7th Michigan Cavalry. They were laid to rest at the Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Clinton County, Michigan, in Section OP-3, Lot #733.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Thomas’s great-grandnephew by marriage.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are collected genealogical information about Thomas and Elizabeth (Castner) Bigelow Sturgis and their child; and the roster for the 7th Michigan Cavalry, Company E.
See, also:
Ovid Township, Clinton County, Michigan (Castner and Welter descendants),
and Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Salmon J. Sutliff (b. 7-12-1837, d. 4-27-1893) from Bingham, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Company A as a Private. His name is spelled “Solomon J. Sutliff” in the company’s roster.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Salmon’s great-grandnephew by marriage.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are collected genealogical information about Salmon J. and Sarah (Castner) Sutliff and their child; and the roster for the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Company A.
See, also:
Ovid Township, Clinton County, Michigan (Castner and Welter descendants),
and Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
Andrew D. Waddell (b. 5-25-1831, d. 12-10-1881) from Howell, Michigan, served in Civil War in the unit 5th Michigan Veterans Volunteer Infantry as a 1st Lieutenant. Andrew raised a company of seventy men between December 1863 and January 1864. With them he joined the 5th Michigan Vet. Vol. Inf.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Andrew’s 1st cousin 3 times removed.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are “State of Michigan Biographical” Vol. II, subsection ‘Andrew Waddel’ (Cincinnati: J. S. Morgan & Co., 1878); “The True Story of a Family in History,” a historical and genealogical publication about a certain set of Coryell, Duncan, Hood, Waddell, Wilson, and other related families, by Charles W. Paige, last updated 2006; “History of Livingston County, Michigan,” (Philadelphia: Everts & Abbott, 1880); and the roster for the 5th Michigan Veterans Volunteer Infantry.
See, also:
The Year Our Family Came to Michigan,
and Don & Lois Harvey's website Michigan in the Civil War 1861-1865.
WORLD WAR II
Thomas S. Barnes (b. 1-3-1909 , d. 9-25-1972) from Jackson, Michigan, served in Peacetime in the unit US Army at the Presidio near San Francisco in the 1920s; served in World War II in the unit US Army as an instructor in Texas assigned to the Army’s 576th Battalion Field Artillery Service Battery. (He was the father of Roy T. Barnes—see Vietnam Conflict.)
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Thomas’ nephew.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are local newspaper articles and family recollections.
Arthur C. Leggett (b. 9-24-1926, d. 4-21-2010) from Horton, Michigan, served in World War II in the unit US Navy; came of age and joined near the end of the war, participating in the Pacific Theater of War. (He was a brother of Donald and Harold.)
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Arthur’s 1st cousin.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are local newspaper articles and family recollections.
Donald R. Leggett (b. 4-23-1923, d. 4-24-2012) from Horton, Michigan, served in World War II in the unit US Army, in the 113th AAA Gun Battalion—same battalion as his brother Harold but in battery D. (He was a brother of Arthur and Harold.)
The following is a letter from Don to the family of his Aunt Jennie Paige:
Somewhere in North
Africa Nov. 30, 1943
Dear Folks,
I am sorry that I didn't get around to write sooner but lately I have been pretty busy. I want to thank you for the swell package that I received from you on Nov. 24. I surely enjoyed everything that was in it. Gifts coming from the good old US surely are appreciated over here, as buying anything over here is impossible. I am sorry that I was unable to return the kindness by sending all of you something, but I couldn't even get over three X-mas cards to send and those were made up on a V-mail blank. But next year I hope that I will be in a better condition to do more about X-mas. I have received ten packages so far and boy they sure come in handy over here.
As you probably know by now, Harry and I aren't together anymore. Although I get to see him about every two weeks, which is better than not at all. We are going to try and get together X-mas day, but I don't know whether we can or not.
The weather here this time of the year is real warm, but gets rather chilly at nite. We all made some stoves out of 5 gallon cans so that helps out a little. I suppose that you had a nice Thanksgiving didn't you? We had a very nice dinner which included turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, string beans, bread and butter (American), dates, coffee, pumpkin pie, and candy. So you can see about how we ate that day. There is only one thing that we regret and that is it's too bad that Thanksgiving don't come more often.
How did the hunting go this year, Bud? I sure missed those swell pheasant dinners but I'll get my share next year.
I heard that Uncle Tom was sent to Texas but I don't know what camp. Texas had ought to be a good place to be during the winter but I'd hate to spend another summer there.
Well, it is getting time that I was going to chow so will sign off. Thanks again for the swell package as I enjoyed it very much.
Write when you can!
Love, Don
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Donald’s 1st cousin.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are local newspaper articles and family recollections.
Harold W. Leggett (b. 12-25-1924, d. 3-26-2020) from Horton, Michigan, served in World War II in the unit US Army, in the 113th AAA Gun Battalion—same battalion as his brother Donald but in battery A. (He was a brother of Arthur and Donald.)
We enlisted in the US Army in February 1943. We spent 6 months in basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and were assigned to the 113th AAA Gun Battalion. Don was in battery D and I was in battery A.
In August 1943 we sailed from the USA and landed in Oran, Algeria where we spent almost a year moving across North Africa. We then went to England and on into France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany.
Since being a "bastard" battalion, we were never permanently assigned to any army; however, at one time or another we were temporarily assigned to the 1st Army, Patton’s 3rd Army in both North Africa and Europe, and the 9th Army as well as the 101st Airborne Division.
In November 1945 we shipped out of Marseille, France for the USA and were discharged in December 1945.
If there was a relaxing time during the war, it was the few weeks we were in Paris. The most trying time had to be the winter of 1944 and 1945 in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.
Harold Leggett
November 20, 2014
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Harold’s 1st cousin.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are local newspaper articles and family recollections.
Kenneth L. Salsbury (b. 9-04-1924, d. 8-21-2014) from Horton, Michigan, served in World War II in the unit US Army Air Corps’ Heavy Bomber organization as a Sergeant and B-17 gunner-radio operator; he was a prisoner of war of the Germans at Stalag VII-A near Moosburg, Bavaria, from June 21, 1944 to April 29, 1945, when the camp was liberated by the US 14th Armored Division. (He was a brother of Phyllis.)
His story was that he was not shot down (he was a crew member on a bomber), but that another bomber in their formation rose from below and they collided, each losing a wing. All but one of the 10 crew on the other bomber died. [Four] of his 10 survived. Anyway, they wound up in a Stalag, eating what the Red Cross sent them, little else. They took pride in not having been shot down; the German's would have preferred to think that their air defenses were working better. [As told by Ken to his 2nd cousin B. L. Hoeg]
NOTE: Originally from Minnesota, Harold Lerum was one of the pilots on Ken’s bomber and also survived the crash. His son Bruce is a minister of a Lutheran church near Jackson and has visited several times with Ken and wife Eunice. [As told by Ken and Eunice to the author]
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Kenneth’s 2nd cousin.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are “World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1946,” available on Ancestry.com and local newspaper articles and family recollections.
Phyllis J. Salsbury (b. 2-09-1923, d. 11-25-2004) from Horton, Michigan, served in World War II in the unit US Navy as a member of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES); in latter 1943 she was a Specialist Technician Third Class when she married US Marine Corps Lieutenant Gaile Ferris, Jr. at Corpus Christi, Texas; in May 2005 she received burial at Arlington National Cemetery. (She was a sister of Kenneth.)
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Phyllis’s 2nd cousin.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are local newspaper articles and family recollections.
Korean Conflict
William Aaron Barnes, Sr., who originated from Jackson, Michigan, served in the Army’s 31st Field Artillery Battalion from April 8, 1953 to April 7, 1955. His division was preparing to ship out to join in the Korean War when they were ordered to stand down. This was due to the signing of the armistice between North and South Korea on 27 July 1953. Subsequently Billy’s division was ordered to Ft. Carson, Colorado, to partake in mountain and cold weather exercises in preparation for the possible reigniting of that conflict.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Billy’s 1st cousin.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran are Billy’s and family recollections.
VIETNAM CONFLICT
John J. Barnes (b. 8-17-1945, d. 2-5-1996) from Horton, Michigan, served in Vietnam Conflict in the unit To Be Determined; was believed to have spent at least some of his service time at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam and received a Bronze Star. (He was a brother of Robert.)
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, John’s 2nd cousin.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is family recollection.
Robert R. Barnes from Horton, Michigan, served in Vietnam Conflict in the unit To Be Determined; was believed to have spent at least some of his service time in Germany. (He was a brother of John.)
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Robert’s 2nd cousin.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is family recollection.
Roy T. Barnes from Jackson, Michigan, served in Vietnam Conflict in the unit US Army; was believed to have spent at least some of his service time at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. (He was a son of Thomas S. Barnes—see WW II.)
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Roy’s 1st cousin.
The strongest genealogical sources for this veteran are local newspaper articles and family recollection.
Charles W. Paige from Jackson, Michigan, served in Vietnam Conflict in the unit US Navy, Carrier Division One as a Radioman 3rd Class Petty Officer aboard the flagship for Commander Carrier Division One. While in service Charles attended an electricity/electronics preparatory school, Radioman A school, and Radioman C school in San Diego. Thereafter he served three years with the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) including two WestPac cruises to Vietnam (1971—see Communications Department and 1972). (The USS Midway was decommissioned by the US Navy in 1992 and since 2004 is in civilian use as the USS Midway Museum).
This veteran is submitted by himself.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is personal knowledge as laid down in his memoir A Petty Officer and a Swabbie, available on the Internet, and the updated A Petty Officer and a Swabbie 2.0, available through Amazon.com in ebook, paperback and hardcover. Information about the USS Midway Museum can be found at www.midway.org.
William Aaron Barnes, Jr. and Jeri Lynn (Mowers) married while both served in the Army at Seoul, South Korea; Jeri (b. 1954 d. 2002).
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Billy’s 1st cousin once removed.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is family recollections.
Allen, who originated from Hillsdale, Michigan, served in the Army (b. 1949 d. 2016), Burial was at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, brother-in-law of Allen’s Uncle Robert Page Garrett, Sr.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is family recollections.
GULF WAR
Air Force Staff Sergeant Dennis G. Hill, who originated from Detroit, Michigan, was stationed out of Rome, New York, when he retired in 1996 after 20 years active duty. He was one of the last remaining to close the base. He had served during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm and received a commendation from the government’s Drug Enforcement Agency. While serving at Michigan’s Port Austin Air Force Base he married Laura, a daughter of the base’s Chaplain.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, brother-in-law of Dennis’ father-in-law Rev. Robert Page Garrett, Sr.
The strongest genealogical source for this veteran is Dennis’ and family recollections.
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
Joel May grew up as a “Bull Islander” in Poquoson, VA, and joined the US Army as a Warrant Officer Flight School candidate in November 2013. Graduated from Fort Rucker’s Army Helicopter program as a UH-60L Blackhawk pilot in September 2015. Stationed in Seoul, South Korea as an Air Assault pilot from 2015-2016. Stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany as a Medical Evacuation Pilot from 2016-2018. Stationed in Fort Riley, KS as an Instructor Pilot from 2018-2021. Served two operational deployments in support of Atlantic Resolve to Eastern Europe: 2019 – Romania, Bulgaria; 2021 – Latvia, Estonia. Separated from Active Duty November 2021, Currently a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the New York Army National Guard in Long Island, NY as a UH-60M Instructor Pilot.
This veteran is submitted by Charles W. Paige, Joel’s granduncle by marriage.
The strongest genealogical source for this is personal knowledge as laid down by veteran.
This was created January 8, 2007 by Charles W. Paige and last updated December 22, 2022.